Marigold cultivation faces challenges from plant diseases

Samastipur: Marigold cultivation has seen gradually increasing all over the country; growers are leaving no stone unturned in producing the vibrant flowers on a larger scale. However, the increasing threat of plant diseases is a big risk for the cultivators. Several fungal, bacterial, and viral infections hit the marigold plants. They can strike marigolds at any stage—from nursery seedlings to mature plants—leading to significant yield losses.

Growers usually depend on chemical treatments to control diseases in marigold, but such methods can be dangerous for the environment. Excessive use of chemical solutions can disrupt ecosystems, destroy soil health, and may increase pollution as well. To overcome these problems, scientists are encouraging an integrated approach to disease management, which aims to minimize losses while ensuring sustainable cultivation practices.

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One of the most common and destructive diseases affecting marigolds in nurseries is damping off, a soil-borne fungal disease caused by pathogens like Pythium, Phytophthora, and Rhizoctonia. According to Dr. S.K. Singh, a scientist at Dr. Rajendra Prasad Central Agricultural University, damping off can destroy up to 25% of young plants in some cases, and in severe outbreaks, entire nurseries may be affected.

The disease manifests in two stages: first, seeds rot before they can germinate, or plants rot at maturity. Later, infected plants begin to rot from the base, just above the soil line, causing them to collapse. Dr. Singh stresses the need for adopting integrated disease management strategies that combine cultural practices, biological control, and minimal chemical intervention for the protection of both marigold yields and the environment.